Ever wondered what it would be like to have a beer with Steve Jobs?
While it might seem like one of those hypothetical ‘dream dinner party’ questions, this was a genuine possibility for some Apple employees before Jobs’ passing in 2011.
As the co-founder of a colossal company like Apple, Jobs naturally sought dependable individuals for his team. To determine if they were the right fit, he devised an unconventional ‘test’.
Rather than implementing a rigorous personality test or a challenging pop quiz, Jobs opted for a straightforward method: inviting candidates out for a beer. Now, that’s an interview concept many could appreciate.
As reported by as.com, Jobs aimed to differentiate the Apple interview process by avoiding situations where candidates entered with rehearsed answers, ready to recite them as though reading from a script.
Instead, Jobs chose to keep the atmosphere relaxed by taking candidates for a walk and a beer, aiming to ease their tension and help them get out of their heads.
This approach, known as the ‘beer test’, was designed to alleviate the typical nerves associated with job interviews, allowing candidates to reveal their true personalities.
It sounds like an appealing strategy, and having a beer with Jobs would certainly be a memorable experience. However, candidates weren’t entirely off the hook as Jobs did have some questions for them.
During these informal pub interviews, Jobs would reportedly ask questions like: “When was the last time you accomplished something?”
And the more conversational: “What did you do last summer?”
While many managers might have specific ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers in mind for these questions, Jobs was primarily interested in understanding the individual better.
Ultimately, his aim in interviewing candidates was to identify the best of the best – the ‘A-Players’, as Jobs once referred to them.
Speaking about his team prior to his death, Jobs remarked: “I found that when you get enough A-players together, when you go through the incredible job of finding these A-players, they really like working with each other.
“Because they’ve never had the chance to do it before.”
Given Apple’s continued success, it’s evident that Jobs’ unique approach contributed to building a lasting legacy.